A Day of Anne

"What if the true artistic work is being fully yourself in the presence of God and others?

What if the book, the painting, the meal, the presentation, and the project were all simply evidence of a deeper art happening within the soul of an artist?

Art is what happens when you dare to be who you really are.

Whatever comes out as a result of that – whether you teach, sing, build, write, love, help, or calculate; if you cook, parent, lead, clean, organize, or listen – these are evidence of a person who is fully alive." - Emily P Freeman, The Quiet Collection

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This weekend my friend Brenda hosted a get together at her house called A Day of Anne, an Anne of Green Gables themed day. And as my friend Erin describes perfectly; "We feasted. We cried together. We ended with carrot cake as we watched romance bloom. "

Brenda kept saying even if the actual event never happened, just the planning was worth it to her because of how she enjoyed the process.

"Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them." LM Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Can I just tell you she poured so much love and life into each detail. There was a menu for the day with raspberry cordial, pan-fried onion dip, end-of-summer corn dip, Gilbert's fishing for trout dip, Prince Edward Island potato soup, Anne's chopped salad, Marilla's plum puffs, and carrot cake with "white way of delight" frosting and much more.

She sent us home with homemade caramel for apple dipping, chrysanthemum tea, and a lovely print with a quote from the book.

I met two new friends and their adorable daughters at this Day of Anne. Brenda was right in thinking we would all be kindred spirits! Nothing like a book to help people connect.

That evening, Nellie, one of the friends I made shared a quote;

"Because for some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfold world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die. " Anne Patchett, Bird by Bird

I am thankful for Lucy Maud Montgomery and her book Anne of Green Gables. I am thankful for Brenda, and the special day she created and hosted for us.

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Let us continue to move towards those things which spark joy in our hearts. Let us continue to be generous with our love and our talents.

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And now a favorite quote of mine from Anne:

“Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I'd do. I'd go out into a great big field all alone or in the deep, deep woods and I'd look up into the sky—up—up—up—into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I'd just feel a prayer.”

And here is some fresh perspective and fashion advice from Lucy, upon her first time seeing the movie that day. It made made us all laugh;